Mock Trial is an activity in which students compete in fictional court cases as attorneys and witnesses. Each season, the American Mock Trial Associationgives us a casecontaining everything a real-life attorney would have before going to trial (witness statements, interrogations, exhibits, and legal precedent). We then work as a team to create arguments, craft witness portrayals, and ultimately compete against other colleges in courtrooms around the country. Our tournaments are scored by real-life attorneys and judges, who grade both attorneys and witnesses on their performances. Mock Trial will challenge your ability to public speak, think critically, think on your feet, be creative, and work as a team -- all like no activity you have ever done before. We need talented people like you!
What is Duke Mock Trial?
Duke Mock Trial (est. 1993) is a student-run organization. We work throughout the year with law students and local attorneys to prepare arguments for the cases provided by AMTA. We field three teams of 7-9 students each fall and spring, and each of our teams attends around three tournaments a semester. Practices are held 2-3 times a week in the trial room at Duke Law School.
We also like to spend time together outside of practice -- tenting for basketball games, playing intramural sports, sharing meals, and throwing parties are all some of the activities we do each year. Additionally, our alumni network includes over 150 professionals working in the highest positions of law, business, education, and medicine. We stay in contact with them through a monthly newsletter, and they support our program significantly. When you join DMT, you aren't just joining a club -- you're joining a large, tight-knit family! How do tournaments work?
Throughout the fall different colleges will host invitational tournaments, before the spring "playoff season" run by AMTA. This means members of Duke Mock Trial do lots of traveling! In previous seasons, DMT has sent teams to Nashville, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, and many other destinations. We also host our own tournament at the Durham County Courthouse (known as the Tobacco Road Invitational), alongside UNC's mock trial team each fall!
Tournaments typically last 2-3 days and take place on weekends. Teams will compete in four trials, twice as the Prosecution and twice as the Defense. The trials are judged by a combination of judges, attorneys, coaches, and law students. Each tournament is an excellent opportunity not only for the teams and students to win trophies, but also to gain experience and experiment with different approaches to the case.
What makes a good candidate for Duke Mock Trial?
We are looking for smart, creative, and competitive people, who aren't afraid to challenge themselves. If you like to argue, act, write, or give speeches -- or if you just generally like to compete -- you are probably a great fit for Duke Mock Trial. If you are looking to improve your communication skills or your ability to persuade people, there is no better activity than this one. And if you are looking for a home on campus where you can meet fun, talented, and driven people -- DMT is the placed to be.
Additionally, our club is open to people of all academic interests and professional pursuits. DMT at present includes pre-law students, future doctors, engineering wizards, and theater kids, and we are always looking for people with different skill sets that can help our program win.
Any other questions about the activity or our club? Contact us at [email protected]
